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Greek yogurt. Spicy chipotle mayo. Honeycrisp apples. The Cronut. These days, it seems we are constantly discovering a new food that will make us healthier, happier, or even somehow smarter. After a brief life as a novelty houseplant and "I Love the '80s" punchline, chia seeds are suddenly a superfood. Speaking of which, what ever happened to pomegranate juice? Or acai berries? Did they suddenly cease to be healthy in 2010? And by the way, what exactly is a superfood again? In this eye-opening, witty work of reportage, David Sax uncovers the world of food trends: where they come from, how they grow, and where they end up. From the test labs at Dole foods to the food truck lobby to the 20 seconds of Sex and the City that forever changed the fate of the cupcake, Sax reveals the money and influence behind what you eat for breakfast. In sections on how food trends are created, what makes them explode, and why they matter, Sax travels in search of the farmers, planners, and chefs who help decide what you will spend three hours waiting for on a SoHo sidewalk. The Tastemakers is full of entertaining stories and useful bits of wisdom for maintaining your sanity in the complex world of food choices.

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David Sax is freelance writer specializing in business and food. His writing appears regularly in The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Saveur, The Grid Toronto and other publications. His first book, Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye, and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen, was a Los Angeles Times bestseller. Sax’s work has also won a James Beard Award for Writing and Literature, as well as the admiration of Jewish mothers everywhere. He lives in Toronto, with his wife and daughter, who looks forward to many cupcakes, or cronuts, or whatever food trend comes next.

Reviews of the The Tastemakers: Why We're Crazy for Cupcakes but Fed Up With Fondue